Santa?

So, yeah…. there’s something about Santa. I was going through some pictures and this one just stood out to me this morning. Santa looks like he might be coming off a little bender here. Sorry, Santa. There is no joy in his face and he certainly doesn’t look jolly. I knew when I ran over and asked if I could take a picture with him, that I might not make it on his “nice” list that year. Watcha gonna do?

We all have our stuff, maybe not benders, and who knows what Santa woke up to that particular morning. He might have just been hot in that suit. I am sure he wasn’t annoyed in the least at my request for a photo with him. No way. HE’S SANTA for Pete’s sake!

I think back to my property management days – the meetings with my team each morning. We had a visual of a clothes hanger and the idea was to hang your “stuff” on the tree outside the office before you entered each morning. To not take your “stuff” to work with you and to just leave it outside. You can grab your “stuff” when you head home for the day.

Sure we have things to share and find healthy counsel for, that will always be true.  My thought is… what we have going on inside shouldn’t always be apparent on the outside. We may not be skipping around every day, but there is a way to present ourselves to others, even if we are miserable. Looking miserable all the time is not a healthy option, in my opinion.

Have you ever fasted? Like a real fast? Even if for just for a day or even a partial fast? Your body’s first response is to tell you that you are STARVING! Eat. Something. Already!!! At first, your blood sugar starts dropping and you’re about to get reeeal hangry – real fast! That sounds awesome! Who wants to go first? I don’t think that’s how it’s supposed to be. Certainly not outwardly. God can see us and is with us when we refrain from something to get closer to Him and that’s exactly what our focus should be on. Looking miserable, probably not so much.

Our church does a 21 day fast at the beginning of each year. You decide on what you are fasting, whether food, social media, more food, or say, food. There is something about relying more on spiritual nourishment and being obedient to the avoidance of physical cravings and relying on our Maker for that very long 21 days. Actually, once you get over the hump, it is absolutely amazing what the human body can do. Incredible. God is.

I am not sure why I am talking about fasting today, it might have something to do with the sugar detox I started a few days ago. Ouch. If you see me, I may be smiling or even skipping, but inside…. I. Seriously. Want. Cake. Lots. Of Anybody’s. Birthday Cake. White Icing. Corner Piece. Please and Thank You.

Carry on.

17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.     – Matthew 6:17,18   NIV